NafisaLeeds United have enjoyed an encouraging summer transfer window so far, but Daniel Farke and the club’s recruitment team know there is still plenty of work to complete before the new Premier League season gets underway.
The Whites opened their business by bringing in Harry Wilson on a free transfer before making a significant investment in Tarik Muharemovic, signing the Bosnia international from Sassuolo in a deal worth around £34million.
They then went one step further by completing their biggest signing of the summer.
James Trafford arrived from Manchester City in a club-record £45million deal, giving Farke the high-quality first-choice goalkeeper he had been looking for and providing another major indication of Leeds’ ambitions following their return to the Premier League.
It has not been a perfect window, however.
Leeds missed out on Germany international Julian Brandt, who ultimately chose Ajax despite strong interest from Elland Road.
The Whites are also working just as hard on departures as they are on arrivals, with Farke needing to reduce the size of his squad and create space for further additions.
One of the most significant exits now appears to be moving closer.
Major Leeds United exit deal imminent
With Trafford now through the door, Leeds have finally resolved one of the most important positions in Farke’s squad.
The manager had been determined to have a reliable No.1 between the posts heading into the new campaign, and the club responded by breaking their transfer record to bring Trafford back to England.
The goalkeeper’s arrival also opened the door for Lucas Perri to move on.
Torino have been waiting patiently in the background to complete a deal for the Brazilian, with the Serie A club identifying him as their preferred option for the position.
The proposed agreement is expected to see Perri join Torino on an initial season-long loan, with an option for the Italian side to make the move permanent.
There had been some concern that a minor injury suffered by Perri could complicate the transfer and potentially delay the goalkeeper’s departure.
However, Torino remain confident that the deal can now be completed.
According to Italian outlet Torino Granata, the Serie A side expects Perri to travel to Italy this weekend to undergo his medical.
The remaining formalities are then expected to be completed, paving the way for the 28-year-old to officially begin his new chapter in Serie A.
For Leeds, his departure would bring another important piece of business to a close.
The club can now move forward with Trafford as their established first choice while continuing to assess their options for a deputy.
Lucas Perri’s difficult Leeds spell
Perri’s departure will bring an end to a frustrating chapter that looked very different when he first arrived at Elland Road.
Leeds signed the Brazilian from Lyon last summer with the expectation that he could finally provide long-term stability in goal.
His reputation suggested there was plenty to like.
Perri had established himself as an impressive goalkeeper in France and arrived in West Yorkshire with significant expectations surrounding his ability.
However, his first season did not develop as planned.
There were promising moments, but Perri also produced a number of performances that raised questions over whether he could handle the demands of being Leeds’ undisputed No.1.
Several costly mistakes ultimately proved particularly damaging.
As the pressure increased, Farke gradually became less convinced that Perri was the right man to lead his defence.
Karl Darlow eventually became the manager’s preferred option, leaving Perri fighting to regain his position.
Some supporters believed Leeds should have shown more patience and given the Brazilian another opportunity to develop.
But the club’s priorities changed.
With Leeds back in the Premier League and Farke wanting a goalkeeper capable of providing greater security immediately, the recruitment team turned their attention towards Trafford.
Once the England international became available, the direction of travel was obvious.
Leeds pushed hard to win the race and eventually completed the record-breaking deal.
That left Perri’s position increasingly untenable.
Torino move gives Perri a fresh start
A move to Italy could therefore provide exactly what Perri needs.
Rather than remaining at Leeds as a second-choice goalkeeper, he will have the opportunity to rebuild his confidence and establish himself as a regular starter in Serie A.
Torino clearly believe there is enough quality in the Brazilian to justify pursuing the deal, and the option to buy gives them the opportunity to assess him over the course of the season before committing permanently.
For Leeds, meanwhile, the move makes sense from both a sporting and financial perspective.
Trafford has been brought in to become the long-term No.1, while Perri can leave and continue his career elsewhere rather than remaining stuck behind the club-record signing.
It also allows Farke to continue reshaping his squad before the transfer window closes.
The arrival of Trafford has already transformed Leeds’ goalkeeping situation.
Now Perri’s imminent departure looks set to complete that transition.
With the Premier League season approaching rapidly, Leeds still have more business to conduct at both ends of the transfer market — but another significant piece of the summer rebuild appears close to falling into place.
Nafisa
